Millions of Canadians are protected from toxic lawn and garden chemicals because their provincial governments took leadership to ban these poisons. B.C. residents deserve this same protection, but I’m worried our government is taking us in the wrong direction.

Pesticides are designed to kill. There is a growing body of scientific evidence showing the links between pesticide exposure and human illness. Health organizations agree they should be illegal to use simply to change the appearance of a lawn. On top of all this, I have first-hand experience that shows how these chemicals can make us sick.

Six years ago, my son Darcy became incredibly ill. He was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease and we nearly lost him. Our doctor suspected environmental causes and after doing my own research I discovered the disease is thought to be caused by insecticides.

Three years later, Darcy contracted the same rare disease again. This time it dawned on me - both illnesses began during the peak of our Spring spraying season. I’m appalled the B.C. government is not taking immediate action to ban toxic pesticides. Darcy is now a healthy seven year-old, but there are many children who are not as lucky and if we keep spraying he could get sick again.

The well-funded chemical industry is trying to stop the government from banning these toxic chemicals, so we need to show them that BC citizens – along with major health and environment groups – want them banned! The BC public consultations showed overwhelming support for a pesticide ban; however, the BC legislative Special Committee on Cosmetic Pesticides has made recommendations calling for weak restrictions on lawn and garden pesticides.

Even if you don't live in BC, please sign my petition and urge Premier Christy Clark to ban the use and sale of toxic lawn and garden pesticides. Our kids deserve to be protected.

MLA for Kootenay East, Chair of the Special Committee on Cosmetic PesticidesBill Bennett

Leader of the British Columbia New Democratic PartyAdrian Dix

Premier of British ColumbiaPremier Christy Clark

Premier of British ColumbiaChristy Clark

British Columbians deserve protection from toxic chemicals that make us sick. Lawn and garden pesticides are used merely to improve the appearance of a lawn, but they jeopardize the health of all B.C. residents – especially our kids.

A growing body of evidence supports a link between pesticide exposure and cancer, neurological illness, birth defects, respiratory problems, and more. Millions of Canadians are now protected from these toxic chemicals, but B.C. residents are still at risk.

Your public consultations showed overwhelming support for a pesticide ban. BC residents are clearly unwilling to risk their health for the appearance of a lawn. Please give British Columbians what they want and follow-through on your election promise. Please ban the use and sale of lawn and garden pesticides across British Columbia. Our kids need your protection.

Suzanne Wemp (Sparwood, BC) with Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment started this petition with a single signature, and now has 2,091 supporters. Start a petition today to change something you care about.

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Today: Suzanne Wemp (Sparwood, BC) with Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment is counting on you

Suzanne Wemp (Sparwood, BC) with Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment needs your help with “Premier Christy Clark: Stop Poisoning our Kids!”. Join Suzanne Wemp (Sparwood, BC) with Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and 2,090 supporters today.

Today: Suzanne Wemp (Sparwood, BC) with Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment is counting on you

Suzanne Wemp (Sparwood, BC) with Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment needs your help with “Premier Christy Clark: Stop Poisoning our Kids!”. Join Suzanne Wemp (Sparwood, BC) with Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and 2,090 supporters today.